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Wednesday, January 2, 2019

The first post for Insecure Writer's Support Group in 2019 is about writers and the questions we get asked.

Yay, the holidays are over. I don't know about you, but I always feel a little relief when New Year's Day passes. It means that the month of big spending and credit card debt is finally behind me for another eleven months. And of course the start of a New Year means 1) starting up my blog again and 2) doing it with a post for The Insecure Writer's Support Group.

I actually have no idea how long the IWSG has been going on, but it's been several years. Has it been a decade yet? The only thing I know for sure is that it was started by Alex Cavanaugh, and it's accomplished quite a few things over the years. For one, it's one of the 101 best websites for writers (according to Writer's Digest). Second, it's got a lot of fine authors and contributors who bandy about all kinds of advice. If you want to know more, either google "Insecure Writer's Support Group" or go to the link embedded HERE.

The January 2019 question of the month is:

"What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about your writing?"

Least favorite: This one's easy, and it goes something like, "Oh, you've written a book? What's it about?" The reason I say this is a least favorite question is because it's kind of exhausting to tell someone about my writing. There are a few elevator pitches that I have prepared, but I don't like using those for a friendly conversation. So each explanation tends to be organic and differs greatly from the prior one I used. I'm never satisfied with any of them (to be honest) as the need for brevity before a yawn or other sign of boredom shows up is strong. But it's just all around kind of annoying to answer this question. I would much prefer to be asked what authors inspired me to write. That's a much easier question and one I enjoy more in answering.

Most favorite: Hmm, do you have any advice?" This is a fun question because I get to ask the person asking me the question all sorts of things about their writing. It's so much funner to do that (for me) because I feel like I'm actually getting to know a person by taking an interest in the stuff that they are writing.

Happy New Year everyone, and I'll be around to check your blogs in a bit.

Welcome back! New Year's Day is when we take down all of the decorations, so it's nice to be clear of clutter even though I miss it.Started in 2011! Seven and a half years old now.I have a hard time with that question as well.

Agreed! Talking to people about their writing and sharing the process or "advice" is the best part of going to craft fairs for me. I know people aren't coming to buy books (that's a bonus), but I often meet people who say "I've always wanted to write a book." This always ends up turning into a twenty minute or more discussion about how they can get started. I like it, even if they don't buy a book.

I am so much the opposite of you when it comes to giving advice. I've never felt secure enough to help anyone with his/her writing, but now that I think of it people usually ask me publishing questions. Interesting how I almost never meet anyone who's writing a book.